Noumea, New Caledonia: The fourth golf course in the South Pacific nation of New Caledonia has been unveiled.
Forming part of the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort and Spa, the 18-hole Exclusive Golf Deva New Caledonia was officially opened on December 20, 2014.
The development, located in the municipality of Bourail, has been in the planning stages since the early 2000s, with local Southern Province Government recently committing to finalising the project as a way to stimulate growth in jobs and tourism for New Caledonia.
This brings the total golf course offerings in New Caledonia to four, with Tina, Dumbéa and La Ouenghui golf courses already available for play.
Located 2½ hours north of the capital Noumea and 1½ hours from Tontouto International Airport, the par-72 course, under French management company NGF Golf, is spread across 131 hectares of unspoiled savannah land.
It offers a unique South Pacific location at the base of the Deva domain, with its hills and valleys facing the translucent blue waters and Unesco World Heritage barrier reef.
The course is part of a Sheraton-managed resort and has been designed by American Cynthia Dye, of Dye Designs. A 30-bay driving range (both grass and synthetic) is also featured.
Mike Orloff, Managing Director of Golf Industry Central, which has been appointed to undertake inbound marketing support for the Australasian region, said: “French management company NGF Golf, managed locally by Laurent Heutte, has been contributing to the development of golf in France for the past 30 years, and was asked to take on this project as New Caledonia is a French territory.
“Having the leading French golf management company oversee the opening and operations made perfect sense for this location.
“Golfers from the Australasia region will enjoy the high standard and uniquely French/island experience on offer.
“We are responsible for all marketing initiatives for the Australasia region to build awareness of the new course and drive more inbound golf tourists to the French Pacific Island nation.”
Course designer Dye said: “When I was contacted to design a golf course in New Caledonia, I had to get out the map to locate it. This is Dye’s first adventure into the southwest Pacific Ocean and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to explore the archipelago.”